6.8 KiB
| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing X-37 | 4/4 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37 | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T12:38:23.150238+00:00 | kb-cron |
The fifth X-37B mission, designated USA-277 in orbit, was launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on 7 September 2017 at 14:00 UTC, just before the arrival of Hurricane Irma. The launch vehicle was a Falcon 9 rocket, and a number of small satellites also shared the ride. The spacecraft was inserted at a higher inclination orbit than previous missions, further expanding the X-37B's envelope. During the flight, the spacecraft modified its orbit using an on-board propulsion system. While the complete payload for OTV-5 is classified, the Air Force announced that one experiment flying is the Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader II (ASETS-II), which measures the performance of an oscillating heat pipe. The mission was completed with the vehicle landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility on 27 October 2019 at 07:51 UTC.
=== OTV-6 ===
The sixth X-37B mission (OTV-6), U.S. Space Force 7 (formerly known as AFSPC 7), launched on an Atlas V 501 rocket from Cape Canaveral SLC-41 on 17 May 2020 at 13:14:00 UTC. This mission is the first time the spaceplane has carried a service module, a ring attached to the rear of the vehicle for hosting multiple experiments. The mission hosts more experiments than prior X-37B flights, including two NASA experiments. One is a sample plate evaluating the reaction of select materials to conditions in space. The second studies the effect of ambient space radiation on seeds. A third experiment designed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) transforms solar power into radio frequency microwave energy, then studies transmitting that energy to Earth. The X-37B remains a Department of the Air Force asset, but the newly established U.S. Space Force is responsible for the launch, on-orbit operations, and landing. The X-37B released a small, 136 kg (300 lb) satellite named FalconSat-8 (USA-300) around 28 May 2020. Developed by United States Air Force Academy cadets in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the small satellite carries five experimental payloads. The spacecraft will test a novel electromagnetic propulsion system, low-weight antenna technology and a commercial reaction wheel to provide attitude control in orbit. According to the U.S. Air Force Academy, FalconSat-8's experiments include:
Magnetogradient Electrostatic Plasma Thruster (MEP) – Novel electromagnetic propulsion system MetaMaterial Antenna (MMA) – Low size, weight, power antenna with phased array-like performance Carbon nanotube experiment (CANOE) – RF cabling with carbon nanotube braiding flexed using shape-memory alloy Attitude Control and Energy Storage (ACES) – Commercial reaction wheel modified into a flywheel for energy storage and release SkyPad – Off-the-shelf cameras and GPUs integrated into low-SWAP (size, weight and power) package The mission was completed with the vehicle landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility on 12 November 2022 at 10:22 UTC.
=== OTV-7 ===
The fourth flight of second X-37B and seventh overall X-37B mission was planned to be launched on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy on 12 December 2023. It was rescheduled for 28 December 2023, when it was successfully launched at 8:07 pm EST (01:07:00 UTC on 29 December). The orbit is higher than any spaceplane, in a highly elliptical HEO orbit. In October 2024, OTV-7 was due to undertake aerobraking maneuvers to safely dispose of its service module. The mission ended with landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base on 7 March 2025 at 07:22 UTC.
=== OTV-8 ===
The eighth flight of the X-37B (OTV-8) launched on 21 August 2025 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9. According to the U.S. Space Force, the mission includes testing laser communications and a quantum inertial sensor.
== Variants ==
=== X-37A === The X-37A Approach and Landing Test Vehicle (ALTV) was an initial NASA version of the spacecraft used in drop glide tests in 2005 and 2006.
=== X-37B === The X-37B is a modified version of the NASA X-37A, built for the U.S. Air Force. Two have been built and used for multiple orbital missions.
=== X-37C === In 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant of the X-37B, referring to it as the X-37C. This spacecraft was planned to be between 165% and 180% of the size of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay. The Atlas V was this variant's proposed launch vehicle. In this role, Boeing's X-37C could potentially compete with the corporation's CST-100 Starliner commercial space capsule. As of 2024, with NASA selecting Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon, there has been no further announcement to develop X-37C.
== Specifications (X-37B) == Data from USAF, Boeing, Air & Space Magazine, and Phys.orgGeneral characteristics Crew: none Capacity: 227 kg Length: 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m) Wingspan: 14 ft 11 in (4.55 m) Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) Max takeoff weight: 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) Electrical power: Gallium arsenide solar cells with lithium-ion batteries Payload bay: 7 × 4 ft (2.1 × 1.2 m) Performance
Orbital speed: 17,426 mph (28,044 km/h) Orbit: Low Earth orbit to high Earth orbit Orbital time: 270 days (design) 908 days (demonstrated)
== See also ==
Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar, the U.S. Air Force's original (1958–1963) spaceplane program, cancelled before craft was constructed Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft, a reusable spaceplane under development Collier Trophy Dream Chaser, a lifting-body spaceplane being developed by Sierra Nevada Corporation Hermes (spacecraft), a proposed European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft design HOPE-X, a similar-sized vehicle of comparable role by JAXA (cancelled) HYFLEX, a Japanese lifting body spaceplane in 1996, precursor to HOPE-X Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), an ESA designed experimental reentry vehicle List of USA satellites List of X-planes Orbital Sciences X-34, a proposed uncrewed suborbital reusable-rocket technology testbed RLV Technology Demonstration Programme, Indian reusable spaceplane development project Shenlong (spacecraft), a Chinese reusable robotic spaceplane under development, first tested in 2011 (suborbital flight) Skylon (spacecraft), a British reusable uncrewed spaceplane (cancelled) Space Rider, a planned robotic spaceplane follow-up to IXV by the ESA
== Explanatory notes ==
== References ==
== Sources ==
== Further reading ==
== External links ==
X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle fact sheet from the U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle page at Boeing.com X-37 fact sheet Archived 24 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine at NASA.gov Machi, Vivienne (21 February 2025). "How The X-37B Is Shaping The Future Of The U.S. Space Force". Aviation Week Network (aviationweek.com). Retrieved 21 February 2025.